Moog Synthesizer IIIc – the original modular – returns

The Moog Synthesizer IIIc was the first Moog instrument built as a complete synthesizer. It was the late 1960’s and Bob Moog and his team had been supplying individual modules and customised systems. The IIIc was put together as a complete pre-configured instrument in a walnut cabinet. Fifty years later Moog are doing a run of 25 units.

Moog Synthesizer IIIc

Each instrument comes with 36 hand-built modules. These include ten 901-series oscillators, the 984 matrix mixer and the 905 spring reverb. They are housed into two hand-finished, solid walnut console cabinets. They are built using the original documentation, art and circuit board files.

This is obviously going to be a premium and exclusive product. Watching the video below what strikes me is how different it is to Eurorack – by which I mean (I think) that the size and form factor gives it a very different “feel”. Also the heavy reliance on a keyboard is very interesting, how Bob always pushed towards “classical instrument” rather than “sound making machine”.

There’s a great quote from Moog Production Engineer Anna Montoya, which is somehow very poignant in this era of cheap synthesizer clones:

“Through archival designs, so-called obsolete electronics, and outmoded production processes, we are rediscovering the magic of our past. It’s a privilege to build instruments in this way; it lets us reimagine what future tools can be. There is so much potential in this history.”

If you’d like one then you’d probably best get in touch with Moog Music. I haven’t seen a price as yet but I imagine it will be hefty. More information on the Moog Music website.